Distracting patients during and after bronchoscopy with a colorful mural and sounds of water reduces any pain or discomfort.

In a bronchoscopy, a small tube is lowered into the lungs to investigate any problems. It's not very comfortable for the patient, but researchers at Johns Hopkins University have hit on a novel way of easing the process. They tested the impact of a mural showing a nature scene and a tape of sounds from nature, such as a babbling brook, on a group of 41 patients undergoing bronchoscopy.

Their responses were compared to those of patients not having 'distraction' therapy. All patients had pain relief it they wanted it. Those in the distraction therapy group were 43 per cent more likely to say their pain control was good or excellent. There was no difference between the two groups in other aspects of the experience, such as anxiety and fear of having the procedure repeated. The Johns Hopkins doctors are now going to offer distraction therapy to all who want it during bronchoscopy.

Source

Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions 28th May 2003